The Lawmaker representing Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, Ejigbo Federal Constituency in the national assembly, Representative Bamidele Salam today, Saturday, 20th November, 2021 launch two children related books just as office of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila in collaboration with Children of Africa Leadership And Development Initiative, CALDELV, hosts the 2021 edition of National Children Dialogue in Abuja.
The National Dialogue and launch of the two books; Leaders Of Our Dream 2 and I60 Things Every Child Should know About The Nigerian Constitution, Child Rights Act And Other Laws, authored by Representative Bamidele Salam, are part of activities lined up by organizers of the event to commemorate this year’s Universal Children’s Day, a day set aside by the United Nations to celebrate Children and draw attention of the global Community to various challenges confronting them.
CALDEV in a statement signed by its Founder/President, Representative Bamidele Salam, this year’s edition is aimed at drawing the needed attention of leaders, policymakers and other stakeholders across the country as part of efforts to ensure that the Nigerian child begins to have conversations around issues that create an enabling environment for a peaceful co-existence especially in an heterogeneous society like Nigeria.
The event in Abuja according the statement, will also feature children panel sessions, Award presentation to philanthropists and leadership ideas contests among participating children drawn from states of the federation.
Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege are expected to attend the event holding at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Center in the Nation’s Capital Territory.
Various categories of important personalities billed to receive awards at the event include: Emmanuella Samuel, (Early Achievers Award in Entertainment as a mark of recognition for creativity and excellence as the most popular child celebrity); Dooshima Avar, (Early Achievers Award in Education category in recognition of excellence at Intercontinental Spelling Bee Competition) and Faith Odunsi, (Early Achievers Award in Mathematics for her distinction at the Global Open Mathematics Competition
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is to receive Child-Friendly State Governor award; Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum – Education & Child-Friendly State Governor award; Senator Rochas Okorocha – Outstanding Education Philanthropist award; Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi – Most Child-Friendly First Lady award while Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu is to receive the Women and Child-Friendly First Lady award, Others are: Her Excellency Dame Edith Okowa, (Best Healthcare Support First Lady) amongst several other awardees.
Representative Salam further said: “This event is particularly important at this critical point in our national existence because of the divisive rhetoric currently deepening ethnic, political and religious divides in the country. We have identified the fact that, peaceful co-existence can only be assured and development ultimately achieved, if we close ranks and speak with one voice irrespective of what part of the country we come from or our religious adherence”
This year’s National Children’s Dialogue has as its theme: ‘Nigerian Child and The National Unity Project’, the dialogue will feature children between the ages of 12 and 17 from all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
